People wanted for nonviolent offenses in the Baltimore area are getting a unique opportunity to turn themselves in.

The U.S. Marshals Service program known as Fugitive Safe Surrender launched Wednesday. It offers people with open warrants a chance for favorable treatment in a comfortable location.

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The program is being held at the New Metropolitan Baptist Church at 1501 McCulloh St. in west Baltimore, where fugitives will meet with public defenders, judges and social workers.

"It's just a great opportunity for people to resolve things that have been haunting them," said Sgt. Carla Lightsey of the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office. "It helps us clear warrants. Every agency has warrants you haven't been able to serve. It puts people back to work because warrants prohibit people from getting jobs in many instances."

On Wednesday morning, several offenders lined up outside the church even though many said they were nervous about what might happen. One offender, who introduced herself only as Josie to 11 News, said that she was terrified to go to Central Booking to handle a 4-year-old warrant for a traffic ticket. New Metropolitan Baptist Church -76.6299819946289239.30458307759831523921742

"Coming to this place -- it was just like peace. As soon as I got in line, I was not going to leave. I made the first step to get here, got in the sanctuary, and it just calmed me down," Josie said.

"The police station is open seven days a week, and they haven't been turning themselves in there, so doing it this way certainly makes them feel more comfortable in this environment," said New Metropolitan Pastor Richard Dickens.

Fugitive Safe Surrender was launched in Cleveland in 2005 and has been held in 16 jurisdictions around the country. This is the first time it's been held in Baltimore, and thousands of people are expected to turn themselves in.

Safe Surrender officials said there are 40,000 outstanding warrants for nonviolent offenses in Baltimore city and county, and some of those are up to 15 years old.

"I was worried because of all the cops around. I was kind of nervous, but now, they gave me a court date," said Leon Corbitt, who had a warrant out for his arrest. He said the pressure, stress and fear are now gone.

According to those who turned themselves in, the process is simple: offenders walk into the church and police do a background check, then send the person across the street to the outreach center where meeting rooms have been turned into mini courtrooms. Josie said judges, prosecutors and public defenders then determine what to do with each case.

"I'm on my way home because, for a lot of people, they dismissed the cases," Josie said.

WBAL TV 11 News reporter Barry Simms said that 176 people went through the process by 6 p.m. Wednesday. The program runs through Saturday.

Simms reported that Baltimore County Circuit Court warrants are not being handled through the program.